Window regulator mechanism

ABSTRACT

A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector for swinging movement in a plane with the latter. The drive arm has a first section fixed to the gear sector and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive means to a window panel guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel.

United States Patent Ladd et al. Dec. 16, 1975 WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM 3,842,541 10/1974 Kolke 49/227 [75] Inventors: Floyd N. Ladd, Warren; Donald G.

Stacy, Plymouth, both of Mich Przmary ExammerK enneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-John J. Roethel; Keith L. [73] Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Zerschling Mich.

[22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 489,274 A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis and an articulated drive 2% 49/227; 49/ arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear [58] Fn .ld 348 3 5 sector for swinging movement in a plane with the lat- 1 0 earc l ter. The drive arm has a first section fixed to the gear 49/353 375 sector and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive means to a window panel [56] References Clted guided for vertical movement on guide means curved UNITED STATES PATENTS laterally f the panel 2,798,761 7/1957 l-lirnka 49/211 3,062,528 11/1962 Martens 49/227 5 4 nmwlng F'gures U.S. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM As embodied in the present invention, the first and second sections of the drive arm have longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sector and coupling means related ends. Coacting pivot means couple the overlapping portions of the arm sections together. The second section of the drive arm is pivotable on the pivot means in a direction traversely of the plane of swinging movement of the first section about the gear sector pivot axis.

Preferably, the first and second overlapping portions have interlocking means acting in concert with the pivot means to maintain the arm sections in substantial longitudinal alignment during swinging movement.

Also, preferably, the coacting pivot means and the interlocking means include lost motion means providing for longitudinal movement of the second drive arm relative to the first section as the length of the drive second arm varies as the arm section pivots relative to the first arm section about the pivot means therebetween.

" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION US. patent application Ser. No. 457,534, filed Apr. 3, 1974, now US. Pat. No. 3,890,742 for a Window Regulator Mechanism in the name of Floyd N. Ladd et al. and assigned to the assignee of the present application discloses a window regulator mechanism for lowering or raising, particularly in a vehicle body structure, a window panel divided into separately movable ventilation and visibility sections. The ventilation section is a relatively small panel and is lowered and raised by a regulator arm coupled at one end to a gear sector and at its other end to a guide channel carried by a bracket on which the ventilation section is fixedly mounted. The bracket is slidable on spaced guide rods adapted to be secured to an inner panel of the vehicle body structure by suitable support brackets.

As best seen in US. Pat. No. 3,659,381, issued May 2, 1972 to Stewart M. Frey et al. for Vent Window System for Vehicle Body Structure, the window panel, and therefore its two sections, is laterally curved to fit the contour of the vehicle body or door structure. This applies also to the Ladd et al. arrangement. To accommodate the curved panel sections, especially the curved ventilation section, the guide rods are laterally curved. The gear sector carrying the drive arm is, however, a flat member rotatable in a fixed plane. The end .of the drive arm coupled to the ventilation section must move laterally back and forth across the plane in which the gear sector rotates in order to accommodate the lateral movement of the ventilation section in order to avoid binding of the mechanism. The prior art suggests that this may be accomplished by utilizing a flexible drive arm or one that is articulated by a hinge connection intermediate its ends as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,798,761, issued July 9, 1957 to J. Himka for Window Regulator. The Himka mechanism utilizes a simple high-friction type butt hinge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction and arrangement in which the drive arm comprises first and second sections having overlapping portions with a low friction pivot means interposed therebetween. The pivot means permits the arm section coupled to the window panel to pivot about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the drive arm and para]- lel to the surface of the drive arm section fixed to the gear sector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector. The drive arm is provided with a first section fixed to the gear sectorfor swinging movement in a plane with the latter and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive means to a window panel guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel.

As embodied in the present invention, the first and second sections of the drive arm have longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sectorand coupling means related ends. Coacting pivot means couple the overlapping portions of the arm sections together. The second section of the drive arm is pivotable on the pivot means in a direction traversely of the plane of swinging movement of the first section about the gear sector pivot axis.

Preferably, the first and second overlapping portions haveinterlocking means coacting with the pivot means to maintain the sections in substantial longitudinal alignment during swinging movement.

Also, preferably, the coacting pivot means and the interlocking means include lost motion means providing for longitudinal movement of the second drive arm relative to the first section as the length of the drive arm varies as the second arm section pivots relative to the first arm section about the pivot means therebetween.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other object, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window regulator mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 2; and

FIg. 4 is a view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated a window regulator mechanism, genrally designated 10, particularly suited for lowering and raising a divided window panel of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,659,381. The window regulator 10, as more fully described in application Ser. No. 457,534, now US. Pat. No. 3,890,742 comprises a mounting plate 11 carrying a pivot shaft 12 on which a pair of gear sectors 13 and 14 are journalled for independent rotation by independent drive means. The drive means are shown as conventional window regulator pinion and clutch assemblies 15 having a manual crank handle 16 coupled to I the pinion shaft.

The drive arm 18 is somewhat shorter than the drive arm 17 and must operate under conditions requiring the unique construction and arrangement embodying the present invention.

The drive arm 18 is articulated intermediate its ends and comprises two sections 20 and 21. Section 20 is fixed to the gear sector 14 and is swingable in the plane of rotation of the gear sector 14. Arm section 21 at its free end 22 (see FIG. 2) carries a slide member 23 adapted to be slidably engaged in a channel 24 secured to the ventilation section 19 of a divided window panel. The channel 24, in turn, is coupled to a slide bracket 25 slidable on spaced guide rods 26-27 adapted to be positioned on a vehicle inner door panel by suitable mounting brackets 28-29.

The guide rods 26 and 27 are laterally curved or arched outwardly of the inner panel of a vehicle outwardly or arched outwardly of the inner panel of a vehicle door on which the regulator mounting plate 11 and brackets 28-29 are mounted. This is necessary because the ventilation section 19 is curved and when being lowered and raised must follow the curvature or tumble home of the upper portion of the vehicle door so as to properly seat against the window opening sealing strip in fully closed position.

The guide system for the ventilation section 19, including the guide rods 26-27 and the slide bracket 25, is explained in greater detail in our co-pending application Ser. No. 489,273, filed Aug. 5, 1974 entitled A Vehicle Window Control System, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Since the point of connection between the free end 22 of the drive arm 18 and the channel 24 attached to the ventilation section 19 moves in and out relative to the inner door panel and therefore to the plane of rotation of the gear sector 14, provision must be made for relative movement of parts of the drive arm 18. In carrying out the present invention, this preferably is accomplished as follows:

The drive arm sections 20 and 21 have overlapping portions 31 and 32, respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 3-5, inclusive. The overlapping portion 32 is indented on its longitudinal center to form a concave-convex bearing portion 33 having a longitudinal elongated aperture 34 in its center. The overlapping portions 31-32 are assembled to each other, see FIG. 2, by a shoulder rivet 35. Beneath its head, the shoulder rivet 35 is formed with a spherical zone 36 complementary to the concave surface of the bearing portion 33. The rivet 35 has a first shoulder 37 of a diameter equal to the width of the aperture 34 (see FIG. 4) and a second shoulder 38 projecting through an equal diameter aperture in the arm portion 31. The rivet 35 is headed at 39 to retain the parts in assembled relationship. The convex side of the bearing portion rides on the upper surface of the arm portion 31 and the concave portion of the bearing portion 33 cooperates with the spherical zone 36 beneath the rivet head in a manner of a ball and socket.

The overlapping arm portions 31-32 are laterally stabilized relative to one another by laterally extending cylindrical indentations 41 in the edges of the arm portion 31, the indentations being of sufficient height on their reverse side to bear against the underside of the arm portion 32, see FIG. 4.

The two arm sections are stabilized against rotative movement relative to one another about the shoulder rivet 35. At its rear end 42 the overlapping portion 32 of the arm section 21 has a depending tab portion 43 terminating in a right angle extension 44. The tab portion projects through a longitudinally extending rectangular slot 45 complementary to the width of the tab portion 43. The tab portion 43 in its slot 45 coacts with the shoulder portion 37 of the shoulder rivet 35 in the aperture 34 to maintain the arm sections in longitudinal alignment while permitting lost movement of the arm sections in a longitudinal direction. This lost motion in the longitudinal direction is necessary to accommodate variations in the length of the drive arm as the arm section 21 pivots or swings relative to the arm section 20 as the ventilation section 19 is lowered or raised.

[t is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate,

a planar gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis,

and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector,

the drive arm having a first section fixed to the gear sector for swinging movement in a plane with the latter and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive arm to a window pane] guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel,

the first and second sections of the drive arm having longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sector and coupling means ends,

and coacting pivot means coupling the overlapping portions of the arm sections together,

the second section being pivotable on the pivot means in a direction traversely of the plane. of swinging movement of the first section about the gear sector pivot axis,

the overlapping portions of the first and second sections having interlocking means coacting with the pivot means to maintain the sections in substantial longitudinal alignment during swinging movement,

the pivot means and the interlocking means including lost motion means providing for longitudinal movement of the second section relative to the first section as the length of the drive arm varies as the second arm section pivots relative to the first arm section about the pivot means therebetween.

2. A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate,

a planar gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis,

and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector,

the drive arm having a first section fixed to the gear sector for swinging movement in a plane with the latter and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive arm to a window panel guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel,

the first and second sections of the drive arm having longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sector and coupling means ends,

and coacting pivot means coupling the overlapping portions of the arm sections together,

the coaoting pivot means between the overlapping portions of the first and second arm sections comprising a concavo-convex bearing means located on the longitudinal centerline of one of the overlapping portions,

the convex side of the bearing means having tangential contact with the abutting surface of the other overlapping portion,

the bearing means having an elongated central opening through which a shoulder rivet projects to couple the overlapping portions together,

and the shoulder rivet having a spherical portion beneath the head thereof complementary seated within the concave side of the bearing means. 3. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 2, in which:

the first and second overlapping portions have interlocking means in spaced longitudinal alignment with the pivot means to hold the two arm sections against rotation relative to one another around the shoulder rivet. 4. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 3, in which:

the interlocking means on the first and second overlapping portions comprises a tab on one projecting into an elongated slot in the other,

the elongated slot being longitudinally aligned with the elongated central opening to permit linear movement of the one arm section relative to the other as the length of the drive arm varies as the second arm section traverses the plane of swinging movement of the first arm section. 5. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 4, in which:

stabilizing means project from the lateral edges of one of said overlapping portions into abutting relation to the other overlapping portion to prevent lateral tilting of the overlapping portions relative to one another about the centrally located bearing means. 

1. A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a planar gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis, and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector, the drive arm having a first section fixed to the gear sector for swinging movement in a plane with the latter and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive arm to a window panel guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel, the first and second sections of the drive arm having longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sector and coupling means ends, and coacting pivot means coupling the overlapping portions of the arm sections together, the second section being pivotable on the pivot means in a direction traversely of the plane of swinging movement of the first section about the gear sector pivot axis, the overlapping portions of the first and second sections having interlocking means coacting with the pivot means to maintain the sections in substantial longitudinal alignment during swinging movement. the pivot means and the interlocking means including lost motion means providing for longitudinal movement of the second section relative to the first section as the length of the drive arm varies as the second arm section pivots relative to the first arm section about the pivot means therebetween.
 2. A window regulator mechanism having a mounting plate, a planar gear sector mounted on the mounting plate for rotation about a fixed axis, and an articulated drive arm swingable about the fixed pivot axis of the gear sector, the drive arm having a first section fixed to the gear sector for swinging movement in a plane with the latter and a second section having coupling means adapted to couple the drive arm to a window panel guided for vertical movement on guide means curved laterally of the panel, the first and second sections of the drive arm having longitudinally overlapping portions intermediate the gear sector and coupling means ends, and coacting pivot means coupling the overlapping portions of the arm sections together, the coaoting pivot means between the overlapping portions of the first and second arm sections comprising a concavo-convex bearing means located on the longitudinal centerline of one of the overlapping portions, the convex side of the bearing means having tangential contact with the abutting surface of the other overlapping portion, the bearing means having an elongated central opening through which a shoulder rivet projects to couple the overlapping portions together, and the shoulder rivet having a spherical portion beneath the head thereof complementary seated within the concave side of the bearing means.
 3. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 2, in which: the first and second overlapping portions have interlocking means in spaced longitudinal alignment with the pivot means to hold the two arm sections against rotation relative to one another around the shoulder rivet.
 4. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 3, in which: the interlocking means on the first and second overlapping portions comprises a tab on one projecting into an elongated slot in the other, the elongated slot being longitudinally aligned with the elongated central opening to permit linear movement of the one arm section relative to the other as the length of the drive arm varies as the second arm section traverses the plane of swinging movement of the first arm section.
 5. A window regulator mechanism according to claim 4, in which: stabilizing means project from the lateral edges of one of said overlapping portions into abutting relation to the other overlapping poRtion to prevent lateral tilting of the overlapping portions relative to one another about the centrally located bearing means. 